His broader point comes just months after an anti-Islam video made in the
United States sparked outrage and demonstrations across the Muslim world. The
movie sparked efforts at the United Nations to criminalize
blasphemy.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Recent purchase, a 1986 Mitsubishi Might Max pickup. Always like to have a spare vehicle on hand.

This is a 2WD, 5 speed, 2.0 with 126,000 miles (true miles, six digit odometer). No A/C, no power steering. Base, base, base. Decent tires. Drives out just fine, clutch is strong, and the brakes, while spongy, stop it in a straight line as they should. Has a bumper mounted ball hitch and flat four electrical connector. I'm the third owner. Bought if from a young man. Bet his parents bought it for him but he wanted an Accord.

The young man had the dash apart trying to find why the cigarette lighter had no power. Now the brake warning light stays on, the heater fan control isn't working, and the windshield washers don't work. The wipers do. Probably some pulled/loose wires. Didn't check the fuses; that will be the first step.

Body is good. A few issues around the rocker panels and the rear of the front fenders. The bed has zero rust. This is rare. These little trucks came over as a cab and chassis for tariff purposes. The beds were made in Korea and installed in Seattle or Tacoma. The quality of the bed metal and finish wasn't up to the standard of the trucks.

The paint is good, somewhat faded. The truck looks to be "Shed Kept" most of it's life. A local detail shop should be able to bring it back along with fixing the minor body issues.

There is nothing on this I can't fix, but I won't. At my age, it justs hurts too much. I can afford one to two hours of shop time and local detail shops are very competitive.

This will be the third 84-86 Mighty Max I've owned. One was 4x4 Turbo Diesel. The other was a 2.6 with an automatic. They gave us good service and were cheap to operate. I've probably sold twenty or more off the car lots over the years.

Gets around 30 mpg. With gas prices going up and up, should be able to get back what I paid (constant dollars, not inflated). So, I paid $1,000 for it and will spend another $300 or so. If I sell it a year from now for $2,000, I should be alright in terms of purchasing power. Based on my past ownership history, will probably own it for several years.

Friday, February 22, 2013

Aside from “gun control” the big whoop with the political and chattering classes is “immigration reform”. The assumptions these light bulbs make astound me.

The illegal’s are already here and making it, prospering, whatever. What makes anyone think they, other than a few, are going to put themselves out, especially if it costs them money, to comply with some law? What the hell; they are already law breakers. Why would they suddenly stop? Does anyone really believe these criminals give a shit about this country, or it’s laws?

Who wants to get their name put on some list? That is somewhat akin to asking firearms owners to voluntarily list their collections with the ATF.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

I was devastated to find out my wife was having an affair but, by turning to religion, I was soon able to come to terms with the whole thing. I converted to Islam, and we're stoning her in the morning!

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The wife suggested I get myself one of those penis enlargers, so I did ... she's 21 and her name's Lucy.

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Went to the pub with my girlfriend last night. Locals were shouting "pedophile!" and other names at me, just because my girlfriend is 21 and I'm 50. It completely spoiled our 10th anniversary.

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My son was thrown out of school today for letting a girl in his class give him a hand-job. I said "Son, that's 3 schools this year! You'd better stop before you're banned from teaching altogether."

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Just been to the gym. They've got a new machine in. Could only use it for half an hour, as I started to feel sick. It's great though. It provides me with everything I need - Kit Kats, Mars Bars, Snickers, Potato Crisps, the lot..."

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Question - Are there too many immigrants in Britain? 17% said yes; 11% said No; 72% said "I am not understanding the question please."

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The cost of living has now gotten so bad that my wife is having sex with me because she can't afford batteries.

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A man calls 911 and says "I think my wife is dead". The operator says, "How do you know?" He says "The sex is about the same, but the ironing is piling up!"

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I was explaining to my wife last night that when you die you get reincarnated but must come back as a different creature. She said she would like to come back as a cow. I said, "You obviously haven't been listening."

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My wife has been missing a week now. The police said to prepare for the worst. So, I had to go down to Goodwill to get all of her clothes back.

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I've heard that Apple has scrapped its plans for the new children's-oriented iPod after realizing that "iTouch Kids" is not a good product name.

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A new Muslim clothing shop opened in our shopping center, but I was thrown out after I asked if I could look at some of the bomber jackets.

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The Red Cross just knocked on my door and asked if we could contribute toward the floods in Pakistan. I said we'd love to, but our garden hose only reaches to the driveway.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Gas, undercarriage, mixture, prop. Basic verbal checklist pilots learn. Recently had a ride in a C 210, right seat, keep mouth shut kind of ride. Did speak up about twenty seconds from touchdown. Asked the question, "When do you put your gear down"?

"Oh Shit," as he executed a go around.

Back in the college days, our flying club was sponsoring a pancake breakfast fly in that included a spot landing contest. The winner was the owner of a pristine Navion who landed gear up. His prop strike was just inches from the spot line. Strangely, he didn't want his trophy.

One volunteer (non pilot type) wheeled his pickup out to the Navion and proceeded to wrap a long chain around the tail. Was rather offended when his help was rejected.

Only had one ride in a Navion, Greeley, CO to Logan, UT. Liked the plane. A&Ps loved them even more. High maintenance.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

WARNING: Profane political rant to follow. I can write without using profanity; choose not to.

Politically, I’m fucked; a Blue Dog Democrat with no place to go. The Democrat Party has moved so far left, I’ve been left behind.

Have always been a Populist. What is a Populist? From Wikipedia:

The terms "populist" and "populism" are commonly used for anti-elitist appeals in opposition to established interests and mainstream parties.

The bedrock goal of a Populist is a level playing field. Until Obama, the Democrat Party was the closest to the Populist ideals. Not very close, to be sure.

The GOP? The party of, “I’ve got mine, fuck you, and I’ll get yours if I can”. Can’t go there.

Tea Party? Eh, maybe, without the religious bunch wanting their doctrines and practices codified into law.

What has become apparent to me (I’m a slow learner) is that the tradition of give and take in this country is gone. Respect and consideration for the other person’s position is gone. I’m referring, of course, to the Progressives. They prefer we all go along with them, or at least shut the fuck up, but it doesn’t matter in the end. They will do what they want, and the hell with the rest of us. They simply don’t care about anything but their agenda; that they hold the moral high ground, and have all the good ideas.

Are we at the end of their “Long March”? Got to give grudging admiration to their tactics; it is working for them. They recruit using Craigslist and other social media. Bring in the young, dumb, and energetic youth. Pay them a pittance, motivate them with bullshit, and burn through them like a boiler room phone operation, because there is a ready supply of new bodies. The rest of us are too busy trying to make a living to notice.

Their one miscalculation is the belief they will prevail in any civil war because they will control the military. That is willful, blind, arrogant stupidity. Sooner or latter they will over reach and something like Waco or Ruby Ridge will occur. I think that is as inevitable as the coming economic collapse. Then they will learn what the 2nd Amendment is all about.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Came face to face with my physical limitations last night. Southbound, I-25 from Chugwater, WY in a nasty Wyoming snow storm, was passed by a Jeep Liberty with California plates. How nasty was the storm? How often do you see a highway snowplow spun out in the center median? Since I’m always pushing the limits, anyone who passes me is going well into the danger zone.

About ten miles from Cheyenne, came over the top of a hill in time to see the Jeep, about a mile ahead of me, go from the left lane to over the right side of the road. As I slowed, I could see the Jeep, on it’s wheels, lights burning bright (engine still running), and not on fire, at the bottom of a 50’ embankment. Don’t know if he rolled it, hit the fence, or just spun out. For certain, I knew that I wasn’t physically able to climb down that steep, icy, snow covered embankment to check the occupants condition, and then climb back up. Would become another casualty. Instead, continued to Cheyenne where my cell phone would work (cheap, unreliable carrier - Cricket) and called for help.

It burns that I can no longer do the things I took for granted most of my life. It burns that I couldn’t offer any immediate help to the Jeep occupants.

On a more cheerful note, one delivery was to a mine vehicle shop and I was able to wander around the equipment. Big, big equipment! How often do you look up at a wheel hub?

The machines in the last two pictures are obsolete and too small for today’s operations. I usually drive past them in the dark.

Friday, February 8, 2013

“I’ve am able to give my wife a home she could only dream of in California”, said the owner of three NAPA stores in Texas. He went on to describe the many benefits of selling his business in Southern California and relocating to Texas.

Took a hotshot load to Amarillo yesterday. As is a habit, do most of my thinking while driving. Started thinking of Bloviating Zeppelin’s many posts on businesses fleeing California and this man came to mind.

This man is not a native son. Rather, he came to this country seeking an opportunity and, by way of hard work, succeeded. One wonders how many jobs he has created, how much in tax revenue he has generated, and how much in taxes he has paid. California’s loss is Texas’ gain.

“Do you miss California”, I asked? “No, not at all”, he replied. He can afford three stores in Texas, has just three administrative employees as opposed to eight in California, and doesn’t have weekly visits from some state employee questioning how he runs his business.

Over the years I’ve been in more corners of Texas than any Colorado kid should ever visit. Midland, Texas doesn’t strike me as paradise found, but, to each his own.

The things I like about Texas are the people, the speed limits and the good roads (except for Hwy 287 in Amarillo). Other than the Fort Davis, Marfa, Alpine area, no place there I would want to live. Better Wamsutter, WY than Pecos, Texas!

Probably the Texans who know me are happy that I won’t be moving to their state.

What is moving to Texas is entrepreneurs, jobs, talent, and capitol. Money flows to where it is welcome. Right now, that is Texas and the residents benefit.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

This is a Colorado specific blog entry. We have a Democrat Governor, the Democrats control both the state legislature and the state senate, and these asshats are spending most of their time on unconstitutional gun control legislation. The length of the legislative session is limited by law. At the end of the session, much of what needs to be fixed won’t be.

As an example, a very dangerous job in the state is driving the prison buses. Little or no maintenance, old and worn out, more convicts have died riding in state operated buses than have been executed in recent years. Not a glamorous, get you on TV issue, but one the legislators are elected to handle.

There are many, many, more gritty problems and issues impacting our daily lives that require thoughtful study and long term solutions. In short, require work. We won’t get it this session as these clowns pose and posture; all the time building excuses for their lack of progress.

End of rant. If this applies to your state too, you have my condolences.

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About Me

Semi retired road warrior, car salesman, occasional repo man. Father of three fine sons. Once a Blue Dog Democrat. Once a soldier; once a pilot. Rolling along life's highway proving there is no fool like an old fool.